THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025 Page 25 caucus members on social media and in the media. He has shown he is not interested in helping the GOP House Caucus and needs to look in the mirror when caucus members may not be inclined to back him. I would also point out there were roll call requests we did not get because Rep. Lombardo wasn’t in the chamber himself.” Lombardo denied that he wasn’t in the chamber to request roll call votes on any of Jones’ amendments. He said, “Even after Jones coordinated to ensure no roll calls [on my amendments], I stood for his request for roll calls immediately after.” Lombardo continued in response to Frost’s criticism. “I would note that I e-mailed the entire [Republican] caucus Sunday night telling them of my amendments and request for roll calls,” Lombardo said. “I wasn’t at [the Republican caucus] as I was hosting three Billerica High School State Championship teams. Paul Frost is paid handsomely to blindly defend Republican Manager Jones. Both are truly institutionalized and work for the uni-party. I wish him luck as he goes back to his district and explains his vote in favor of a $5 million legal defense fund for illegal immigrants.” There were 15 GOP members who did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call. They are Reps. Donald Berthiaume (RSpencer); Michael Chaisson (R-Foxboro); Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden); Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk); Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury); John Marsi (R-Dudley); David Muradian (R-Grafton); Norman Orrall (R-Lakeville); Todd Smola (R-Warren); Michael Soter (RBellingham); Alyson SullivanAlmeida (R-Abington); Marcus Vaughn (R-Wrentham); David Vieira (R-Falmouth); Donald Wong (R-Saugus); and Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). Jones himself did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call’s request to comment on the entire situation. However, he spoke to reporters following the incident. “I’m not going to go waste my time working with people who just want to kick me,” said Jones. “It’s kind of human nature. It’s not Republican, not Democrat … it’s just human nature. [Rep. Lombardo] is obviously still hurting over the fact that he got smoked [in the election for minority leader].” Jones noted that in January he appointed Lombardo and Lombardo supporter Rep. Nick Boldyga to the Revenue Committee because he knew taxes were an “important issue to them, as evidenced by the amendments that they fi led.” “They’ve never shown up to the Revenue Committee, as has been told to me by both my staff as well as others,” Jones said. “I think there’s also an element within the caucus that, I will say includes me, that you’ve seen some of the tweets and X comments both during the leadership fight and since then that, I think, frankly, people are tired of and don’t think it’s particularly productive and constructive.” Lombardo responded, “Jones is upset that he has been exposed as an institutionalized member who serves the Beacon Hill machine and not the taxpayers and he’ll say anything to distract from that truth being understood by the public. Jones failed to act like the Republican leader by holding the Democrats accountable for roll calls on important tax policy, received immediate backlash from the public, and is desperately trying to justify his conspiring with the Democrats.” HIRING FREEZE — Gov. Maura Healey announced that she will be implementing a hiring freeze across the Executive Branch, beginning May 27, in response to “widespread economic uncertainty at the national level and a tightening state budget outlook for fi scal year 2026.” The Healey Administration said that the hiring freeze will apply to all Executive Branch agencies and departments and there will be no formal waiver process. However, consistent with common practice during past hiring freezes, exemptions will be made for certain positions, including public safety offi cers and direct care providers. “The people of Massachusetts expect us to protect and maximize their tax dollars and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Gov. Healey. “Tariff s and funding cuts from Washington are causing so much economic damage and instability. We are taking this step to prepare for more uncertain economic times, protect taxpayer dollars and move our state forward while ensuring funding will be available for the vital services people need.” “As we navigate the close of fi scal year 2025 and prepare for the start of the new fi scal year in July, the governor’s action to implement a hiring freeze across the execBEACON | SEE Page 26 Does Medicare Cover Vision Care and Eye Exams? Dear Savvy Senior, What all does Medicare cover when it comes to vision care? I currently have good vision insurance through my employer but will lose it when I retire. Almost 65 Dear Almost, Many soon-to-be retirees are a bit blurry with what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to vision care. The good news is that Medicare covers most medical issues like cataract surgery, treatment of eye diseases and medical emergencies. But unfortunately, routine care like eye exams and eyeglasses are usually the benefi ciary’s responsibility. Here’s a breakdown of what is and isn’t covered. Eye exams and treatments: Medicare does not cover routine eye exams that test for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but they do cover yearly medical eye exams if you have diabetes or are at high risk for glaucoma. They will also pay for exams to test and treat medical eye diseases if you’re having vision problems that indicate a serious eye problem like macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, eye infections or if you get something in your eye. Eye surgeries: Medicare will cover most eye surgeries that help repair the eye function, including cataract surgery to remove cataracts and insert standard intraocular lenses to replace your own. Medicare will not, however, pick up the extra cost if you choose a premium multifocal lens that restores full range of vision, thereby reducing your need for glasses after cataract surgery. The extra cost for a premium lens can run $1,500 to $4,000 per eye. Eye surgeries that are usually not covered by Medicare include refractive (LASIK) surgery and cosmetic eye surgery that are not considered medically necessary. Eyeglasses and contact lenses: Medicare will not pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses, with one exception: If you have had a conventional intraocular lens inserted during cataract surgery, Medicare will pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses following the operation. Ways to Save Although original Medicare’s vision coverage is limited to medical issues, there are ways you can save on routine care. Here are several to check into. Medicare Advantage plans: Many of these plans, which are alternatives to original Medicare and sold through private insurance companies, cover routine eye exams and eyeglasses, but coverage is limited so be sure you understand the specifi cs. While I don’t recommend enrolling in an Advantage plan just to get vision coverage it is an option you should know about. To locate Advantage plans in your area that provide vision coverage, go to Medicare.gov/ plan-compare or call 800633-4227. Purchase vision insurance: If you get routine eye exams and purchase new eyeglasses annually, a vision insurance plan may be worth the costs. These policies typically range between $5 and $30 per month. Most plans will also have copays or deductibles you’ll be responsible for. Check veterans’ benefi ts: If you’re a veteran and qualify for VA health care benefi ts, you may be able to get some or all of your routine vision care through VA. Go to VA.gov/health-care/about-vahealth-benefi ts/vision-care to learn more. Find cheaper shopping options: Many retailers provide discounts — between 10 and 50 percent — on eye exams and eyeglasses if you belong to a membership group like AARP or AAA. You can also save by shopping at discount retailers like Costco Optical, Sam’s Club Optical or Target Optical, which are all recommended by Consumer Reports. Or consider buying your glasses online at retailers like ZenniOptical.com, EyeBuyDirect.com or GlassesUSA. com which off er big savings. To purchase glasses online, you’ll need a valid prescription from an eye doctor (no more than a year old), plus your pupillary distance number, which is the distance, measured in millimeters, between the centers of your pupils in each eye. Look for assistance: There are also health centers and local clinics that provide free or discounted vision exams and eyeglasses to those in need. To fi nd them put a call into your local Lions Club (see Directory.LionsClubs.org) for referrals. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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